Highly skilled job vacancies in Wairarapa have jumped, giving some locals the chance to give up their daily Wellington commute.
Figures from Trade Me Jobs show while growth in the national job market has slowed, advertised vacancies are up 11.4 per cent year-on-year.
Job listings in Masterton in the final quarter of 2012 surged 63.8 per cent compared with the previous quarter, and were up 53 per cent on the same time in 2011.
There were 212 jobs advertised in Masterton, compared with 138 in the previous quarter.
Wairarapa Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stephanie Gundersen-Reid said she had noticed more jobs advertised in Wairarapa.
"The other thing I've noticed is an increase in the higher level jobs, which is very positive for the region."
Sectors experiencing growth included education, retail and health, Ms Gundersen-Reid said.
"Pretty much all over the place really." There were enough highly skilled locals to fill the positions, she said.
"We have a huge amount of people that live in Wairarapa and commute to Wellington, so this is actually a really good opportunity for them to put themselves forward and maybe not have to go to Wellington any more."
Statistics were not available for South Wairarapa or Carterton, as fewer than 50 jobs were advertised in each region during the quarter.
Head of Trade Me Jobs Pete Ashby said the latest national figures were only a slight drop on the previous quarter, and he had expected a stronger result. But double-digit growth year-on-year wasn't to be scoffed at, he said.
The analysis of more than 42,000 roles advertised in the last quarter of 2012 also revealed a 9.7 per cent increase in applications per job, creating an "employers' market" in many sectors.
Construction and architecture vacancies grew faster than any other sector nationally.
Other sectors with strong growth included healthcare and transport. APNZ
By the numbers
Masterton listings for final quarter of 2012
Up 63.8 per cent compared with third quarter
Up 53 per cent year-on-year
National job listings for final quarter of 2012
Down 8.3 per cent compared to previous quarter
Up 11.4 per cent year-on-year
Highest-paid roles
IT functional consultants - $138,500
IT architects - $133,928
IT project managers - $123,896
Doctors and specialists - $121,472
Finance managers and controllers - $121,442
Lowest paid
Bar staff and baristas - $32,241
Care givers - $32,894
Receptionist & front desk - $33,396
Kitchen staff - $33,748
Retail assistant - $33,961
Source: Trade Me